OTIRA STRIKE.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16227, 1 June 1918, Page 8

OTIRA STRIKE.

MINISTER'S REPLY TO DEPUTATION

Tlio Minister of Public Works, Sir Wm. Frater, has replied to tho deputation representing the workers at the Otira tunnel, which waited upon him on May 3th, when he, accompanied by Mr G. Witty, M.P., paid a visit to tho works to listen to the men's grievances. In a letter addressed to tho secretary uf tht> Otira Workers' Union, Sir William says:—

The classification of workers is a matter which must l>e loft to the discretion of Mr -Dmnie, the engineer in charge of the works. It is his duty to discriminate between the relative values of the respoctivo classes of work to be performed, aud allot proportional rates of wages accordingly. As regards the assistant electriciun's wages, this person should make a special application to Mr Dinnio, who will transmit same to mo with his remarks thereon. With regard to tho lad, Cullum, it is considered that he is being fully paid for the work he is called - upon to do, but in this special case 1 am prepared, if lie is found to bo suitable, to employ him as an apprentice "wire-man,' 1 ho would receive award rates of pay ana thus open up an avenue for him "to be employed later on as a tradesman. In cases where men are employed at a certain class of work in the tunnel and they aro required to do work temporarily of a higher class, then they shall receive the wages appertaining to that higher class whilst so engaged. When this temporary employment at a higher rato of wages is ended, then they must return to their former work at the rate of pay fixed for that work. If, however, men aro required to leave a high class of work temporarily, owing to an unforeseen contingency, to do work for which n lower rato of pay is fixed, then these men shall receive the former higher rate of wages during such temporary employment. If, however, the change of work is intended to be permanent, owing to there being no further need for them in the higher paid class, then these men could only expect to ho paid the rato fixed for such lower class of work. In tho event of there not being sufficient work to provide continuous employment at tho higher rate, then the men must revert to less remunerative employment in the tunnel until they can bo re-employed at tho highor rate, as, for instance, where preparatory work requires to be done prior to tho possibility of performing the higher paid class of work. This contingency is inseparable from all tunnel work, and is a tule that cannot be deviated from.

Wi tli regard to wet or dry work, I havo already stated my views on this subjuct when addressing the deputation at Otira, and it is unnecessary therefore to repeat them. Instructions wero given by me to Mr Dinnio before leaving Otira' to have nil occupied huts roported on at oncc fco him, and, when neoessary, to have samo made habitable. Reasonable care should however, be taken by each occupant of his hut. I regret to learn that this is not invariably the rule. The tracks to the lmts will be improved, and, where practicable, lighted, but I cannot undertake to supply electric light to each hut. In tho first place there is not sufficient power availablo, and the necessary appliances are difficult to procurs and somewhat costly. The question of re-employing the disabled man who had to be dismissed from the lamp-room last year has been happily settled by Mr Dinnie giving him another chance, it is only fair to tho Department to Temind you when appealing for sympathy for this man on account of the accident that causcd him to lose_ his leg, that full compensation for this accident was paid to him when it occurred, according to statute, and further compassionate employment was found for him until be forfeited it l)v his behaviour.

Now, as to the demand for an increase of wages owing to the increase of the cost of living, it must be remembered that Is per day war bonus has been regularly paid on tfiis account. I am prepared, however, to recognise that the employees in this tunnel are working under somewhat unpleasant conditions owing to the continuous heavy dripping .of water from the tinlined rojf. This necessitates the constant use of oilskins and leggings, which it is admitted do not last long linder working conditions. To meet this I have decided to increase the wages to all hands by Is per day, which will much mora than compensate tho men for the extra expense involved. Tho payment of this extra Is per da v will, m accordance with my promise "to the deputation, date back from Mav Ist. 1918. • '